»R 4974 
.M15 Q4 
1900a 
Copy 1 



national Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and the 
itatesj Edition of the Works of the Best Authors. 



No. 40. 



"A QUEEN'S 

MESSENGER" 



^ 






BY 



J. HARTLEY MANNERS 



^ 



Copyright, 1900, by T. H. French. 



CAUTION :— Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified 
that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws 
of the United States Government, and nobody is allowed 
to do this piav without first havine: obtained permission of 
Samuel French, 24 West 22d Street, New York City, U. S. A. 



i/i< 



PRICE 30 CENTS 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

■>.. wt^^T -^Sth street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 

26 Southampton Street, 

STRAND 






^ 



BILLETED. 

A comedy in 3 acts, by F. Tennison Jesse and H. Harwood. 4 males, 
5 females. One easy interior scene. A charming comedy, constructed 
with uncommon skill, and abounds with clever lines. Margaret Anglin's 
big success. Amateurs will find this comedy easy to produce and popular 
with all audiences. Price, 60 Cents. 

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. 

A comedy in 3 acts. By James Montgomery. 5 males, 6 females. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Two interior scenes. Plays 2^^ hours. 

Is it possible to tell the absolute truth— even for twenty-four hours? It is— 
at least Bob Bennett, the hero of "Nothing But the Truth," accomplished the 
feat. The bet he made with his business partners, and the trouble he got into— 
with his partners, his friends, arid his fiancee— this is the subject of William 
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recommended as one of the most sprightly, amusing and popular comedies that 
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IN WALKED JIMMY. 

A comedy In 4 acts, by Minnie Z. Jaffa. 10 males, 2 females (although 
any number of males and females may be used as clerks, etc.) Two 
interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Plays 2^ hours. The thing into 
which Jimmy walked was a broken-down shoe factory, when the clerks 
'had all been fired, and when the proprietor was in serious contemplation 
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Jimmy, nothing else but plain Jimmy, would have been a' mysterious figure 
had it not been for his matter-of-fact manner, his smile and his everlasting 
humanness. He put the shoe business on its feet, won the heart of the girl 
clerk, saved her erring brother from jail, escaped that place as a permanent 
boarding house himself, and foiled the villain. 

Clean, wholesome comedy with just a touch of human nature, just a dash of 
excitement and more than a little bit of true philosophy make "In Walked Jimmy" 
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MARTHA BY-THE-DAY. 

An optimistic comedy in three acts, by Julie M. LIppmann, author of 
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tumes modern. Plays 2^^ hours. 

It is altogether a gentle thing, this play. It is full of quaint humor, old- 
fashioned, homely sentiment, the kind that people who see the play will recall 
and chuckle over tomorrow and the next day. 

Miss Lippmann has herself adapted her very successful book for stage service, 
and in doing this has selected from her novel the most telling incidents, infectious 
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Price, 60 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalog:ue Mailed Free on Request 



^ A QUEEN'S MESSENGER^' 



^V^^^ BY 

J. HARTLEY MANNERS 



Copyright, 1900, by T, H. French 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 
CAUTION: — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby warned that 
"Queens Messenger," being fully protected under the copyright laws 
of the United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone presenting 
the play without the consent of the owner or his authorized agents 
will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for pro- 
fessional and amateur acting rights must be made to Samuel French, 
28-30 West 38th Street, New York. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, 
STRAND 



i 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER" 

DRAMA IN ONE ACT 

BY 

J. HARTLEY MANNERS. 

Originally Produced at the Haymarket Theatre, June 26th, iSgf. 

CHARACTERS. 

An English Officer Mr. C. Aubrey Smithc 

A Masked Lady Miss Granville. 

Scene. — A Lonely House on the Outskirts of Berlin. 

Revived at the Avenue Theatre on October 6th, iSgg^ 
with the following cast: 

An English Officer Mr. A. Holmes Gore 

\ Masked Lady Miss Granville. 



■:---<'^xtA from 



rEC-97] 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER 



Folding windows at back opening on to garden. Table 
C, on which are a large triple photo-frame and a 
bowl of matches. Chairs R. and L. of table and be- 
hind table. Small writittg-table down R,, with writ- 
ing materials. Cabinet at back to L. of window. 
Fireplace L, Sofa down L. There are two candle- 
sticks with candles on mantelpiece L. arid ott cabinet 
at back. Lamp at back to R. of window. Vase to be 
brokejt L. of witidow. In the cabinet are a bottle of 
wine, glasses and a corkscrew, hi the drawer of the 
writing-table is a small revolver. The rooin is per- 
fectly dark save for the rays of moonlight str earning 
through the window and indicating clearly the gravel 
walk leading up to the room. Dead silence for a sec- 
ond or two after rising of the curtain, theft the sou7id 
of horses' hoofs coining at a smart trot, together with 
the rattle of wheels and the jingling of bells, is heard. 
Then the grating sound of the horse beifig brought to 
a standstill, two or three peals of bells as the horse 
tosses his head j then the sound of voices and foot' 
steps, and two figures are seen in the moonlight walk< 
ittg up the path. A man, carrying something heavy ^ 
which he changes fro?n one hand to the other on ac- 
count of its weight, and a lady in a 7nask and domino. 
They walk straight to the window, the lady a little in 
advance, talking to each other indistinctly. The lady 
inserts a key into the lock in the frame of the window, 
a sharp click is heard ; she pushes the window in- 
wards, quite wide open, then enters the room cau- 
tiously. She turns when inside atid speaks to the man 
in a slightly foreign accent. 

5 



6 "A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." ^ 

Lady. You had better remain outside. Vou will 
break things. 

Officer. All right. Go ahead. 

Lady. It is so 7/<?ry dark, {feeling her way carefully 
to R. of windozv, s lie finds the lamp R.) Ah, yes ! 

Offi. {changing the heavy article from one haiid to 
the other') I say I 

Lady. What do you say .? {inoving down R. c. and 
groping on table for something) 

Offi. I, must put this confounded bag down. It's 
breaking both my arms. {Stepping cautiously inside, 
moon full on him j he is seen to be carrying a large 
bag) 

Lady, {still searching on table) Be ve-ry careful ! 

Offi. {drops bag with sigh of relief — it falls on 
the vase to L. of window, which noisily crumbles to 
pieces) Confound ! {picks up the bag and deposits it 
L. C.) 

Lady. Ah ! I knew you would break things. Keep 
still. 

Offi. Dreadfully sorry. I say, look sharp and light 
up. 

Lady. I have no — matches — eh ? 

Offi. Oh, that's all right, I have, {takes a step to- 
wards her, comes in coiitact with a small chair up- 
right, which yields to his weight, and falls to the floor) 
Ugh! 

Lady. You will break every\S\\\\<g \ 

Offi. {striking a match) Such footle leaving 'em 
about like that, {limping over towards her) 

Lady. You have hurt yourself, eh ? 

Offi. About two inches of skin gone, {sheltering 
match from draught with his hand) 

Lady. Give it to me. {she takes ?natch from him 
and proceeds to light the lamp ; he rests his foot on a 
chair L. of table and aggrievedly rubs the injury) I 
told you to keep still, eh ? Poor boy ! I'm sorry. There 
{she has now succeeded in lighting the lamp) Have you 
another match, eh ? {she is R. of table) 

Offi. Heaps, {taking out box) 

Lady. Then will you light the candles ? See ! {indi- 
cating them on mantelpiece L.) 

Offi. Certainly, {strikes matches and limps about 
lightijig candles on mantelpiece) 



«'A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 7 

Lady. There is no one at home yet. They are all at 
the dance, {going over to writing-table R.) 

Offi. Is that enough ? {he has now lighted the 
candles on the mantelpiece) 

Lady, {surveying them over her shoulder) Ye-es ! 
Oh ! the two over there, {indicating cabinet) Ihat is 
where the "what you drink" is. {sits at table, begins 
to IV rife) 

Offi. Ah ! Must light that up. {limps across and 
lights them) Quite an illumination. 

Lady. I will not keep you a moment. It is so good 
of you to be my messenger. 

Offi. On the contrary, it is a privilege, {inoving 
down C.) Besides the occasion is so extraordinary. 

Lady. Is it not ? Fancy you knowing Leo ! It is 
wonderful. He will be so surprised when you hand him 
my letter. 

Offi. That very important letter, {taking off cloak, 
places it on sofa) 

Lady. Oh, it is most important. If it miscarried, the 
consequences would be terrible, {during the speeches 
she is writing a letter) 

Offi. Really? You alarm me. {picks tip chair "B.. 
off floor) 

Lady. That is why I did not like to trust it to the 
postman. See ? Letters from Berlin are not always safe. 
{addressing e7ivelope) There ! You will wait a little 
while ? 

Offi. If I may. 

Lady. My people should be back at once. What is 
the time 1 {rises) 

Offi. {looking at watch) Twenty-five past one. 

Lady. And your train ? 

Offi. Train goes at half-past two. 

Lady. And you must go away when ? {juoving to- 
wards him) 

Offi. In — let me see — in half an hour, (^pockets 
watch) 

Lady. The carriage will wait for you, eh ? {quite 
close to him) 

Offi. Oh, yes. I made that all right. Used up most 
of my German trying to make him understand. 

Lady. But he is French, {with a little gesture oj 
mmuse?nent) 



8 "A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." ^^ 

Offi. So I found out. {laughing) 

Lady, {laughs with him — then hands hijn letter) 
Here is the important letter {reads the address with 
?nni) " To Count Leo Morovski, Russian Embassy, Lon- 
don." I cannot thank you enough for taking all this 
trouble and going so much out of your way for me. 

Offi. Not at all. The house is en route to the sta- 
tion. I'm charmed to do even so slight a service for you. 
{pauses — loo/es at her a moment) May I, in return, ask 
a favor ? 

Lady. Mais oui. 

Offi. I am afraid you will think it presumption. It 
is that you remove that mask. 

Lady. But why ? 

Offi. So that I may know my companion of a few 
pleasant hours. 

Lady. But you will not know then. 

Offi. But I shall see. 

Lady. How very English. You always want to see — ■ 
and you never know what you see. There ! {she re- 
moves her mask, drops her domino, and stands revealed 
— a dark, passionate, handsome woman, superbly dressed 
a7td bejeweled) 

Offi. {taking a step backwards, in admiratioji) By 
Jove ! 

Lady, {ivith a little pleased Unigh) You are sur- 
prised, eh ? 

Offi. Surely — surely — we have met before ? 

Lady. Do you think so ? 

Offi. You were at the reception at the Embassy on 
Monday night ? 

Lady. I was. 

Offi. And at Lady Cleveden's afterwards ? 

Lady. Yes. 

Offi. I am so glad to meet you — you quite puzzled me. 

Lady. Why ? 

Offi. Because, although you seemed to know every- 
body, no one could tell me your name. 

Lady. And for a very good reason — they could not 
pronounce it. {puts mask and domino on chair by 
writing table) 

Offi. {a little pause) I wonder it I could ? 

Lady. No — no — no — it is a horrid — stupid — long, 
nasty name. 



" A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 9 

Offi. Yet the owner of it is very beautiful. 

Lady. Ah ! a compliment — from an Englishman. It 
is good ! (r.) 

Offi. It is the truth, (r. c.) 

Lady. Of course. It is always a compliment for an 
Englishman to speak the truth. And so you must go 
away in half an hour, eh ? 

Offi. [regretfully) Unfortunately. 

Lady. Unfortunately ? Do you not wish to go ? 

Offi. Not now. 

Lady. {goi7ig up to him) Then go by another train. 

Offi. Daren't ! 

Lady. Dare — not ! 

Offi. No. Duty ! 

Lady. So ? But — [coviing closer to him) a man's 
duty is always to a woman, eli ? 

Offi. Always. 

Lady, {touchi^ig hiiii ivith her fan) Well 1 

Offi, My duty is to a woman — to my Queen ! Her 
Imperial Majesty calls me to Whitehall, London. 

Lady. Indeed! You are a very disappointing person. 
{crosses over to sofa) 

Offi. I am a Queen's messenger. 

Lady, [turning quickly) So? You carry messages.? 

Offi. Yes, I carry messages. 

Lady. Then you are a very important person t 

Offi. Very, {lightly and chaffingly) I carry the des- 
tinies of countries in my breast pocket, treaties in my 
cigar case, and an emperor's ransom in my travelling bag. 

Lady. But you are so young. 

Offi. Nine and twenty. 

Lady. A beautiful age. {sits on sofa) One knows 
nothing at nine and twenty. Oh, I wish I were nine and 
twenty instead of- 

Offi. Instead of ? {crossing to head of sofa) 

Lady. A hundred 1 That is what I feel to-night. 
But tell me, Messenger, do you not sometimes feel afraid? 

Offi. Sometimes. 

Lady. Aha ! I thought an Englishman never felt 
afraid ? 

Offi. Only when he looks in a woman's eyes, {look- 
ing down at her) 

Lady. Oho ! {smiling up into his eyes) V«m are 
frightened now, eh ? 



lo «* A QUEEN'S MESSENGER.' 



Offi. 


Almost. 












Lady. 


Of me? 












Offi. 


Of myself 












Lady. 


And yet there 


is a 


little 


word 


that 


banishes 


fear, eh? 














Offi. 


{betiding over her) 


Love 


? 






Lady. 


Duty ! 












Offi. 


(looks at her a moment) 


True. 


{jHoves to C.) 


I had forgotten. 












Lady. 


Duty before all 


else 


. eh ? 


Your 


Queen before 



all others, eh ? 

Offi. Yes — my Queen before all others. 

Lady. It is beautiful. 

Offi. It is English. 

Lady. Lucky Queen. 

Offi. Lucky messenger. 

Lady. Oh, but how stupid of me. You are thirsty, 
eh ? {going np to cabifiet) I wonder if we have any- 
thing {scarchi7ig) No — no — ah, yes ! 

Offi. {goes to table^ C, picks up photo-frame) What 
wonderful photographs, {opening out frame) 

Lady, {coining down ivith bottle and corkscrew) Do 
you like them ? 

Offi. {taking bottle from her a7id opening it) They 
are beautiful. Where were they taken ? 

Lady. In Petersburg. 

Offi. Petersburg ? 

Lady. I was born in Petersburg. 

Offi. Why, my next appointment will be there, {pour- 
ing out wine) 

Lady. Indeed! {takiiig tip glass) Then we may meet 
again. 

Offi. I'm sure I hope we do. {fills glass while 
talking, and raises it to his lips) To our next meeting, 
{drinks) 

Lady. Hooks first at big bag) To our present meet- 
ing, {drinks) 

Offi. By Jove, it's good stuff. 

Lady. Is it not ? I like all good stuff. 

Offi. What a lucky chance my going to the ball last 
night ; wasn't it ? {approaching her) 

Lady. I meant that you should go to the ball last 
night, {sits l. of table) 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." ii 

Offi. You meant that I should go ? {leaning against 
table) 

Lady. I sent you the ticket. 

Offi. Did you ? 

Lady. Yes. You arrived four days ago. The first 
night you were here you went to the theatre — so did L 
You drove to the Embassy each morning — past my hotel. 
I said, " Who is that 'i'' " An English officer." "So? 
and where does he stay ? " •' At the Hotel Royale." 
" Bien ! I like him. I will send for him. But how ? 
You English are so distant — when anyone is looking — 
especially you diplomatic English. Suppose I send for you 
where everyone loolcs and no one — sees a bal masque at 
the Opera. It is a happy thought. But will he go ? I 
send you the ticket and wait impatiently all day. At 
night I hear you have left your hotel. It is good ! I 
drive to I'opera ... I see you enter ... I make you 
speak with me — you tell me you are going to England to- 
night. I think of my message to Leo — I ask you — you 
consent — Voila !'we are here, (rising) 

Offi. And in half an hour's time I will have gone. 

Lady, {tozvards him) And we may never meet 
again ! Why must you go by that train ? 

Offi. If I missed it my despatches would be late. 

Lady. Would that matter very much .? 

Offi. Yes, it would. 

Lady. They are so important t 

Offi. They are 7'ery important. 

Lady. Well, go ! {crossing to mantelpiece L.) I 
don't want to keep you. You are like all Englishmen. 
YoLi are allself, self, self! You never care for anyone 
but yourself, [walks up and down indignantly) 

Offi, What do you mean ? [rises and crosses to c.) 

Lady. It does not matter if / miss yoit so long as 
you do not miss your train. 

Offi. That is rather unreasonable. 

Lady. Of course. A woman is always unreasonable 
to an Englishman. 

Offi. Would you really miss me ? [going towards 
her — the bag between them) 

Lady. Certainly not. Go away at once ! Take your 
big bag and go. [slight pause — look of sudden thought 
comes into her eyes, theti smilingly she repeats slowly] 
Your big — bag ! Oho ! [looking at it) They are in 



12 «'A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

there, eh ? How very wonderful. They are lying quietly 
asleep in that big bag, eh ? A country's peace or a coun- 
try's trouble sealed up in an envelope {she is L. of the 
bag — the man R. of if) 

Offi. a country's peace or a country's trouble often 
lies in my big bag sealed in an envelope. 

Lady. It makes me quite frightened {with a little 
shudder^ 

Offi. Why ? 

Lady. Because it makes me think . 

Offi. Of what? 

Lady. My country — my poor country. 

Offi. That is Europe's safeguard {inoving to c.) 

Lady, {quickly) What is ? 

Offi. That Russia is poor. 

Lady. She may not be always, {icp to him) 

Offi. No ? 

Lady. India is rich. 

Offi. And belongs to us. 

Lady. That may not be always. 

Offi. [easily) Oh, I think so. 

Lady. You English think so much. You are so sure. 

Offi. We have to be. 

Lady. How do you know that the Russian bear is not 
crossing the frontier at this moment ? 

Offi. Not the slightest chance of that. 

Lady. Prevention is better than cure, eh ? 

Offi. Much better. 

Lady. So-o ? Your despatches are indeed impor- 
tant, messenger, {tapping him on the sleeve with her fan) 

Offi. {on his guard in an instant) I know nothing 
they contain. 

Lady. No ? {^laughing) Then what a good guess ! 
Ha, ha, ha ! Why do you not go ? 

Offi. I have twenty minutes yet. Don't turn me out. 

Lady. You can do just what you like, {back to him) 

Offi. {sitting down) May I smoke ? 

Lady. Do whatever you please, {arraiiging her hair 
in the mirror) 

Offi. I say, don't be angry, {sits L. of table, takes 
out cigar-case, and selects a cigar) You'll spoil every- 
thing. 

Lady. It is you who spoil everything {jnoving down 
snd bending suddenly over him) Go by the next train. 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 13 

Offi. {shaking his finger at her) Ah! Duty! Duty! 

Lady, {inipatiently) Oh ! You English regulate 
your lives by a silly little word of four letters. 

Offi. Jolly good little word for all that, {taking out 
cigar-cutter, which is attached, together with key-ring 
and signet-ring, to a steel chain fastened at the waist) 
Now do sit down. 

Lady. I shall do nothing of the kind, {sitting down 
suddenly at back of table/ seeing the cutter) Oh, what 
a funny little thing. May I look at it ? 

Offi. Of course {detaching the entire key-ring, sig- 
net-ring, and cutter frofn his chain and handing them 
to her) Rather neat, isn't it t . 

Lady. What is it for ? 

Offi. Cigar-cutter. See ? {showing the cut cigar) 

Lady. It is very clever — {holding it up) and very 
beautiful. A moonstone mounted in opals. It is un- 
lucky, eh ? 

Offi. {lighting cigar) That never troublesome. 

Lady. Has it a history ? 

Offi. No. Bought it in a Cairo bazar. 

Lady, {touching sigjiet-riiig) What is this ? 

Offi. Signet-ring. That has a history. 

Lady. /;/deed ! 

Offi. It belonged to an old warrior-ancestor of mine. 
Dates back to the Knights of Malta ! 

Lady. Why do you not wear it ? 

Offi. Can't, {holds up hand) They don't make 
fingers that size this generation. 

Lady. It could be altered. 

Offi. Sacrilege. 

Lady. And so you carry it on there ? 

Offi. Yes. I carry it on there. 

Lady. With your keys 1 

Offi. Yes. They're like the messenger — very impor- 
tant. 

Lady. Oh, what a large one ! What is it for ? 

Offi. Latch key, Conduit Street, London. Brought it 
away by mistake. 

Lady. So ? And that one ? 

Offi. That one ? Bureau — Conduit Street, London^ 

Lady. And this ? 

Offi. Locker — Guards' Club, London. 

Lady. Oh, what a funny little key. 



14 



A QUEEN'S MESSENGER.' 



Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 
one ? 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 
honor. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 



Made in New York. 

Really ? What is it for ? 
{pause, looks at bag) " The big bag." 

[looks across at bag) So-o ? And 



that 



Both belong to the bag. 

The big message bag, eh ? 
Yes. Well guarded, isn't it? {laughing) 

In Russia we give our messenger a guard of 



In England each man guards his own. 
It is wise ? 
It seems to be. 

Do the messages ever miscarry ? 
Never. 
And if they did ? What would become of the 
messenger ? 

Offi. Depends on the man. 
Lady. What would you do ? 
Offi. Never thought of it. 

Lady. I wonder ! {the jingle of bells outside is heard 
as the horse tosses his head, and the sound of the hoofs 
stamping 07i the hard road. The man and woman look 
at each other for a second. She turns away repeatifig) 
I wonder ! 



Offi. 
expect. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 
the face. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 

Lady. 

Offi. 



{second pause) Walk off the edge of things I 

Kill yourself? 
I expect so. 

Yet you are not a coward. 
Don't think I am. 

Could you not look trouble in the face ? 
Not that sort. 

I know one trouble you do not mind looking in 



Do you ? 

And one you will always seek. 
Oh ! What's that ? 
{pause, brings her face near his) Woman ! 
By Jove, yes. But then that trouble has a face 
worth looking at — sometimes, {bending across the table 
to her and unwittingly allowing a cloud of smoke to 
pass over her. She rises and coughs) I'm awfully 
sorry. 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 15 

Lady. Horrid smoke, {coughing^ Your cigar is like 
yourself — large and strong, {still coughing and moving 
doivfi R.) 

Offi. I'll throw it away, {walks tip to fireplace and 
throws it in grate) 

Lady. I'll give you a cigarette, {layijig dowji bunch 
of keys Ofi table, crosses to C.) 

Offi. Oh, no. That's all right, {movitigl.. C.) 

Lady. Please, {holding out cigarette case to him) 

Offi. It's awfully good of you. 

Lady. I'm always awfully good. 

Offi. {takes the case from her, is about to take 
one, hands case back and takes case from pocket) I'm 
afraid I'm rather conservative. I'll smoke one of my 
own. 

Ladv. No, no, no. Please ! See — I'll smoke with 
you. 

Offi. Very well, {about to take one) 

Lady. No — no — take a big one — the little ones are for 
me. {they take one each — he lights hers first — then his 
own. Indicating his cigarette) I do not like them. 

Offi. Ah ! {inhaling and blowing a cloud through 
his nose) They are curious, {exami fling texture of cigar-- 
ette) Where do they come from ? 

Lady. Petersburg. 

Offi. {inhaling again) They're not pure tobacco. 

Lady. No ? A mixture ? 

Offi. It reminds me of something. 

Lady, {turning quickly) Of what ? 

Offi. I can't fix it. 

Lady. I should not try. {crossing to L. — gets rid of 
cigarette) 

Offi. I won't, {looking at her admiringly) By the 
way — why did you invite me to the ball — in the first in- 
stance ? {sits on edge of table) 

Lady. Why did I ? Because I am a very stupid per- 
son, sometimes. 

Offi. Oh ! come • 

Lady. Ve-ry stupid. I have what you English call 
the sentiments. 

Offi. Sentiments ? 

Lady. Yes, I am a very sentimental person. That 
was why I sent for you. 

Offi. Yes, but I say 



i6 «'A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

Lady. You inspired me with a great sentiment. I 
was so sorry for you. I pitied you from the top of my 
heart, 

Offi. Pitied me ? 

Lady. You were walking with your eyes shut, on the 
edge of an abyss, and there was no one to say to you, 
" Keep back ! " All day I thought of you — all night I 
dreamed of you. {rises and moves to C) 

Offi. Dreamed 1 

Lady. That you had fallen in ! 

Offi. {laughing) To the abyss ? 

Lady, {facing him) To the trap ! ! 

Offi. What trap ? 

Lady. The trap that has been set for you ever since 
you arrived in Berlin. 

Offi. I don't understand. 

Lady. I did not expect that you would. I saw you 
rushing headlong into danger, and then I said to myself, 
*' Poor stupid fellow, I will save him." And I have saved 
you. {he gives a little ejaculation) You do not believe 
me. I will make you. Spies have followed you every 
day you have been here. Whenever you have gone out 
you have been dogged, when you have stayed in you 
have been watched. 

Offi. May I ask why ? 

Lady. So that the papers you carry shall not reach 
England. 

Offi. Indeed ? And the spies ? Germans ? 

Lady. No ! Russians ! 

Offi. {turns quickly) How do you know this ? 

Lady, {a little embarrassed — turning away) I know 
a good deal about my country. 

Offi. They would have had some little difficulty in 
preventing the papers from reaching England, {sitting 
071 table) 

Lady. They would have had no difficulty at all. 

Offi. Pardon me, I have conducted missions far more 
dangerous than this one. 

Lady. Yet, had you gone back to your hotel last 
night, your despatches would never have been deliv- 
ered. (Officer s?nilingly strokes his motistache) You 
think not, eh ? Very good. li you drive past your 
hotel on the way to the train, you will see men wait- 
ing in the shadows. They are waiting for you. 



«'A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 17 

{movement by Officer) You begin to believe ! I said 
to myself, " He is a brave man, he is armed, he will 
fight, and they will kill him. What a pity ! " So I sent 
for you. I made you send for your big\i7i<g — the precious 
bag. // is here — yoii are here — in a few moments you 
will go away quite safely — and then — you will forget all 
about me. Is it not so ? You are silent. You believe 
me now ? 

Offi. Yes. {rises) 

Lady. See ? Am I not a very ^^surd person ? 
{inoves down L.) 

Offi. {walks right over to her L. Pause) A 
very extraordinary — a very kind one. {holds out his 
hand) 
■ Lady. That is all right, {ignoring his hand) 

Offi. I owe you the safety of my charge. 

Lady. Ha, ha, ha ! {little light laugh) 

Offi. {quietly and intensely) I owe you, perhaps, my 
life. 

Lady. Your life ? {she turns inwards to him^ their 
eyes meet — again is heard the jingle of bells and the 
pawing of horses' hoofs upon the road — little pause. 
In low tones, meeting his gaze) You mean that had you 
escaped, but your papers had been stolen — you would 
have — killed yourself. 

Offi. Yes. 

Lady. That would be very foolish. 

Offi. Perhaps. 

Lady, {crossing over to C, then breaking the tensity 
of the situation) But then, all your countrymen are 
foolish, eh 1 

Offi. {throivs cigarette in fireplace, moves to c.) I, 
for one, plead guilty. A moment ago I dreamt you had 
brought me here because — because I had made — a con- 
quest. 

Lady. Oh— an Englishman's most beautiful dream!— 
that he is taking something he has no right to from some- 
one else, {withdrawing her hand) Have another cigar- 
ette, {hands him case. OFFICER takes one, lights it, and 
puts case on table) And another glass of wine, {pour- 
ing it out) 

Offi. {pause) I, too, am a sentimental person, on 
occasions. I am now. 

Lady. Is it for me ? 
2 



i8 "A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

Offi. Yes — for you. 

Lady. Ha, ha, ha ! 

Offi. It is one of gratitude. You have saved my 
honor — my life — my love, {little pause between each. 
She laughs at " honor" and ''life" but on the word 
" love,'' she looks him in the eyes. Pause) 

Lady. Your love! Oho ! Then there is some one you 
love ? 

Offi. With all my heart and soul. 

Lady. Is she English } 

Offi. Yes. 

Lady. Poor girl ! (aside, pityingly, tinder her 
breath) 

Offi. Had those papers been stolen, it would have 
meant not merely disgrace, ruin, a blot on an old name, 
it would have meant the breaking of the dearest heart 
God ever made. Strange lady, I am grateful. 

Lady. That is all right, messenger. Now you 
will understand why you received the invitation for last 
night. 

Offi. Yes. {sits L. of table) 

Lady. Were you not surprised when I asked you to 
come here ? 

Offi. {brightly — entire change — tosses off glass — re- 
places it on table) I never thought of that — the whole 
thing was an adventure. I had been kept at the grind- 
stone pretty tightly the four days I had been here. It was 
thought wiser to travel at night. I was left with my last 
evening on my hands. Your invitation came 

Lady. Ha, ha, ha ! 

Offi. T went — met you — and 

Lady. And you came here to do something for me. 



Offi. To be your messenge 



Lady, {down r., looking straight before her) Sup- 
pose that was not my real reason for bringing you with 
me. Suppose I have nothing important to sent to Count 
Morovski, that I have no mother and no sisters — that I 
live here all alone, what would you say to that ? 

Offi. You are not serious ? 

Lady. Suppose I am — quite serious ? 

Offi. You liv^e here alone ? 

Lady. Quite alone ! And that letter I gave you is so 
important that you can tear it up. Now, do you under- 
stand ? 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 19 

Offi. I'm afraid I don't. 

Lady. Ha, ha, ha ! do not be alarmed ! It was only- 
si woman's whim. There is no harm done. You can go 
away now, and no one will be any the wiser. 

Offi. {looks at her — suddenly passion leaps into his 
eyes) Not yet ! 

Lady. You do not wish to go yet ? 

Offi. No. {excitedly) I want to be near you — to hear 
the sound of your voice, to {he is quite close to her) 

Lady. Oh, ha, ha ! So — you are like all other men 
— weak — eh ? 

Offi. Weak ? What of it ? If man was never weak, 
half the history of the world would not be written. 

Lady, {crossing to c.) Because the world is made 
of men and women ! 

Offi. {vehemently — catching her tone) Yes ! Men 
and women ! {Pause — suddenly takes her in his arms) 

Lady, {repulses him with) No, no no ! {he stag, 
gers to table — pause) A moment ago you spoke of the 
dearest heart God ever made — eh ? {he looks at her a 
moment, while she holds his gaze, then he drops his 
eyes on to the ground, and leans for support on table) Is 
this loyal to that heart ? You do not answer ? It is con- 
temptible, eh ? So you brave men are sometimes con- 
temptible ! Again you are silent. A false step with the 
papers you carry, and you would betray your Queen, 
For that you would kill yourself. Yet a false step at a 
bal masque, with a stranger, betrays the Queen of your 
love, and poof ! — it is nothing. Yes — you English are 
brave, {he staggers up to window to get air. Again 
is heard the jingle of the bells outside — the man and 
woman look at each other. He throws away his 
cigarette, takes out his watch — looks at it under the 
lamp) You have a little longer, {anxiously) 

Offi. Five minutes. 

Lady, {relieved) Ah ! {holding out case again) 

Offi. {comes down, looking inside) Only two left. 
(Lady makes movement pressing him to accept) Thanks. 
They rather grow on one. {falls back into chair L. of 
table) Gad, that wine has gone to my head. 

Lady. Is that weak too ? {right round back of table, 
to R.) 

Offi. Ha, ha, ha ! You're rather severe, {lights 
cigarette — inhales with apparejit enjoyment) 



20 "A QUEEN'S messenger- 

Lady. I am very severe, sometimes. 

Offi. I suppose you are never weak. 

Lady. Alas ! I am a woman. 

Offi. Deucedly strongmmded one. Ha, ha, ha ! 

Lady. That is only one side of me. 

Offi. It is the only one you've given me a glimpse of. 

Lady. I would not like you to see the other. 

Offi. I suppose you have never felt a grande pas* 
sion ? 

Lady. Do you .? Well, you are quite wrong, {she 
moves nervously up to back, near window — watching 
him) 

Offi. You have a lover ? {iin steadily) 

Lady. I have, {coining down C.) 

Offi. Indeed. Ha, ha, ha ! Is he — is he brave ? 

Lady, {her face lighting up for a moment) Brave! 
Mon Dieu ! {turning fiercely on him) He is a 7nan, a 
soldier— a soldier of his Czar's — his King's ! Parbleu ! 
Had he the mission you have entrusted to you, he would 
lay them at the feet of his Queen if he had to cut a pass- 
age through a thousand men. 

Offi. {slightly dazed, his hand on his forehead) 
Eh ? what's that ? A thousand men ? So would I — ten 
— ten thousand. 

Lady. He is a soldier of the battlefield, not of the cafe, 
the opera and the boudoir. Do you think he would fall 
openly into a trap — carry his precious messages into the 
very hands of the enemy 1 

Offi. {trying to collect his thoughts) Enemy ? 
What do you mean ? 

Lady. I mean, Captain Standish, emissary of your 
Queen, that I am an. emissary of the Imperial Court of 
Russia— that I have brought you here to rob you of what 
you profess to be dearer to you than life ! 

Offi. Rob me ? 

Lady, {back of chair \.. of table) Your train leaves 
at two-thirty. You will not travel by it. Be careful, 
Captain, when next you smoke with a Russian lady that 
her cigarettes are pure tobacco and not a mixture! 
{the cigarette drops from his fingers ; he leans iack 
against the table, holding it with one hand for support, 
whilst the other goes to his forehead. He looks straight 
before him) Your mission is more dangerous than you 
supposed, eh ? and yet instead of a thousand — ten thou- 



«A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 21 

sand men — you have to face only one woman. You say 
nothing ? 1 forgot — you English think so much I 
{crossing doivn R.) 

Offi. My head ! my head ! {pressing his forehead 
with both hands) 

Lady, {tip to writing-table R.) What a beautiful 
trap. Had the opiate failed — had you not smoked — I 
would have had to use this. See ? {shows a tiny revol- 
ver, which she takes from drawer in writing-table) It 
is full of little bullets, and it goes off quite easily. Had 

you escaped that, there was yet another risk {jingle 

of bells again, the sound of a ina7is voice soothing the 
horse) Listen — Francois — he is all over pistols — and he 
is waiting for yott. They wait for you at the hotel — at 
the station. A very dangerous mission, eh ? Ha ! ha ! 
You escape them all, and yet fall a victim to a poor, weak 
woman. How very English. 

Offi. {rises feebly) Ha, ha, ha ! What are you 
talking about ? Oh, my head. What's the time .? Train 
goes — half-past two — I must be going — no time to lose — 
{totters away from table) Good-bye — awfully obliged — 
Oh, my head ! ha, ha, ha ! How stupid of me — to feel 
like this — been drinking — where's the bag {feeling his 
way as he staggers, aided by the furniture, towards the 
bag) Carriage outside — sorry to have to go — messenger, 
you know — qu — queen's messenger — the bag — ah ! Here 
— {stumbles against it j is about to stoop down to lift 
it — staggers again — presses both hands to his forehead) 
Oh — my head — I — I — don't know — what I'm doing. Ha, 
ha, ha ! {laughing hysterically) What am I laughing 
at ? — train — must catch it — queen's — queen's — messen- 
ger — Oh-h ! {sinks asleep across bag) 
The lady stands watching hi7n for a mometit ; then she 
goes to him, listens to his breathing, which is thick. 
She fiods with satisfaction, and kneels down and 
gently removes the bag from beneath him. Her face 
has now completely changed j it is stern, pale, im- 
placable ; the brows knit, the features working with 
suppressed excite7nent. Dead silence in the room 
save for the heavy breathing of the matt. She thinks 
a moment, then goes quickly to the window and gives 
a low whistle. It is answered. Then the soufid of a 
man's voice j the rattling of steel as the reins are 
gathered ; the toss of the bells j then tHe sound of a 



22 «'A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

horse's hoof s going off at a smart trot ; the rattle oj 
the wheels, the jingling of the bells, loudly at first^ 
then dying away gradually in the distatice j then 
silence. 

Lady. Gone ! {moving to prostrate figure) You 
will not catch your train, Captain Standish. Sleep 
soundly ! [looks doivn at him, shrugs her shoulders 
cotitemptuously) To trust you with despatches ! Eng- 
land is a great country. Mais oui — it is very wonderful 
—the material is sometimes so small. I must be quick 
or he will wake, {crosses to table, takes up bunch of 
keys) The keys — all right {kneels down to bag, tries 
two ; third f Is J- she uttlocks) That is one ! {she utt- 
locks the other, presses the lever j the bag opetis j she 
throws the keys on the table, turns back to the bag) 
Sesame ! {ransackijig) Clothes ! Letters ! Books ! 
Clothes again — ah, what is this ! {takes out a packet 
with a big red seal.) Kismet ! Af/ mission has not failed. 
I talk not of my loyalty to every stranger — it is here 
{touching her heart) For if I would cheat, lie, kill, and 
at the end — what .? What my reward ? Exile ! Death ! 
Who knows ? Who cares ? No one except Leo ! Ex- 
cept Leo ! {lays despatch on table while speaking, 
closes bag, but does not re-lock it ; then drags the bag 
to its old position, and lifts his arm on it. The man 
moaiis slightly, as though in pain. She looks at him, 
then bends down over him. A changed look comes into 
her eyes) Poor fellow ! 

Offi. {moves restlessly in his sleep, eyes closed ; 
then speaks in a hoarse whisper) Quick, or we'll miss 
it ! Go on ! Faster — faster still — go like hell — that's 
right — ha, ha, like hell, {feeble, hysterical laugh) Ha, 
ha, ha ! Is that the whistle in the distance — it can't be ! 
How beautiful you are — What ? In danger ? No one 
dare touch them — I bear a charmed life — with — my des- 
patches — they are my life — Take off — that mask, won't 
you ? {she silefitly goes to table, soaks her handkerchief 
in the wine — goes back — places it on his forehead. 
The man moves under her touch) I can't hear you — ■ 
what would Constance say ? She'd love you for having 
saved me — you don't know how she loves me — she thinks 
the world of me — and — and — I'm not worth it ! Go on 1 
I can see the lights — look ! — there's the train ! It's on 
the crest of the hill — don't you see it ? Hurrah I I'll 



"A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 23 

do it! Stop! — wait! — you imist f — a messenger — she 
called me her messenger — {breathing gets more reg- 
idar ; she bends down over him, moistening his hands 
with the handkerchief) 

Lady. He is waking — waking to what ? Disgrace, 
shame, death — for he will kill himself — I saw it in his 
face. And why not ? Leo would do it too. It is the 
only thing. Nothing can heal dishonor — for a woman 
— yes — for a man — no ! Poor fellow ! Why sliould I 
pity him ! {a thought coming to her) If this were Leo 
— if he lay in some woman's room — drugged — robbed — 
if he — [shaking off tlie thought) Leo ! No — no ! He 
would not run such a risk — he is loyal to his country — 
and to me ! {another thought as she glances down at 
the man) Yet what was that he said ? " If man was 
never weak, half the history of the world would not be 
written." It is true ! All men have their moments — yes 
— even the bravest — and he is brave — {looking down at 
him) Poor fellow ! {inovementby Officer) He has had 
his moment — he is waking now to pay the price. 
The Officer opens his eyes — presses his hand to his 
forehead. She rises, watching him. He seems to be 
endeavoriiig to gather his thoughts, and struggles 
ijito a kneeling position. She walks slowly backwards 
to the table, watching him intently. Suddenly some- 
thing of the truth breaks in on him, and he convul- 
sively looks for the bag. He rapidly feels the lock. 
She takes advantage of his turning away to hurriedly 
take the despatch from the table a)id thrust it into 
the triple photo-fra7ne, and place it face downwards 
on the table. She turns — the man staggers to his 
feet. They stand facifig each other — a neighboring 
clock' strikes two. 

Offi. {hoarsely) Two ! The train ! [totters weakly 
to window) 

Lady. Stop. The carriage has gone, {by table c.) 
Offi. Gone .? 
Lady. Yes. 

Offi. But I must get to the train — I must, {down by 
her) 

Lady. Too late. 

Offi. Too late. No, no — it can't be too late. Don't 
you understand, I must catch it — don't — you understand 1^ 
Lady. I understand. 



24 "A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

Offi. Oh, my head — get me away — I've only half an 
hour — help me to get away. 

Lady. No ! 

Offi. No ? Good God, You decoyed me here ! 

Lady. Yes — so that the papers you carry should not 
reach England. 

Offi. [pause — looks at her — grasps the sitiiatiott — 
turns away — takes a step dowti L. iu undertone) What 
can I do ? What can I do ? {then drawing himself up") 
The carriage you say has gone ? {turning towards her) 

Lady. Yes. 

Offi. We two are alone — beyond earshot ? 

Lady. Quite alone. 

Offi, Then listen to me. Close as the net is that you 
have drawn around me you have forgotten one thing. 

Lady. Indeed ? 

Offi. You have forgotten to draw it tightly enough. 
Madam, spy of the Russian Government, you are my 
prisoner, {taking C.) 

Lady. So ? 

Offi. Further still — my despatch shall reach White- 
hall in time. 

Lady. Indeed ? And how ? 

Offi. At daybreak you shall be under arrest — and the 
despatch flashed across Europe. 

Lady. To do this you would want the despatch, eh ? 

Offi. {instinctively his hand goes to his chain — the 
keys are missing — kneels down to bag — presses the lever 
— the bag files open — searches — misses despatch) The 
despatch — where is it ? 

Lady. In the hands of an official of the Russian gov- 
ernment. 

Offi. In yours ? {up to her) 

Lady, {pointing to window) You forget Francois 
and the carriage, {officer makes mov ement towards wiiu 
dow) He is miles away by now. My net was closer than 
you thought ! {the 7nan leajis on cabinet for a moment 
— rage first of all rushes into his face, into his speech — ■ 
he tries to speak — nothing artictilate comes-^then lean 
fill his eyes — he brushes them away with back of his 
hajid — his face gradually becomes hard and set — he half 
turns his back on the woman — he draws revolver slowly 
"—then with a heart-broken cry) 

Offi. Constance ! The end of it all. {presses revol'^ 



"A QUEENS MESSENGER." 25 

ver to his temple. The woman has gradttally moved 
down to him — contempt first of allin her face and move- 
inents — then astonishment^followed by pity and horror 
as she strikes his arm up) 

Lady. Ah, no, no ! Not that — not death ! You have 
conquered ! Captain Standish, you are a man ! I respect 
you — I will save you. You will have your despatch un- 
opened — you will catch your train — you will be at White- 
hall in time, and all through me. You wonder why ? I 
will tell you. I saw something in your face then that I 
have never seen before. I saw you looking at death — 
meeting it — with the name on your lips of the woman you 
love. Captain Standish, I have learnt a good deal. You 
are a great man — England is a great country ; you are 
heroes, {movement by Oyycer) No, no, no, do not speak. 
{dozan to table c.) It was to serve the man I love I sought 
to betray you — it is for the love some woman bears you I 
stepped between you and death. Oh ! why are we women 
born with hearts ? It is woman's wit betrays mankind ; 
it is woman's heart that betrays herself. Mine has be- 
trayed me ! (sinhs into chair sobbing. Officer stands 
motionless, watching her; then, with gesture of pity, 
moves to her. Looking up) There ! it is all over ! 
{smiling at him) Weak, eh ? Quick, quick, quick ! 
There is no time to lose ! Ah ! your keys, eh 1 [takes 
the ring off table — looks at it) Messenger! I would — 
like something — of yours — something you value — give me 
that ring, [hajtding him the whole thing) 

Offi. (l. C.) The signet ring ? There, {hands it to 
her) 

Lady. {"B.. C. looking at it) It was handed down to 
you by a brave man, it is given to me by a foolish one, 
eh? 
Offi. A very foolish one. 

Lady. Shall I give you something ? Wliai. will I give 
you ? A picture, eh ? Choose, {indicatifig frame on 
table — then moving round back of table to R. He takes 
up frame, looks at the first one — opens it — the despatch 
falls out — pantomime — their eyes meet. He silently 
places the despatch in his pocket — takes out picture — 
holds out his hand — she extends hers — he kisses it) A 
great risk, eh ? Poof! It is all over! Come — quick — 
300 yards aw^ay there is a coach-house — in it a trap — the 
•tables are next door — I will harness the horse myself — 



^ 



26 '♦ A QUEEN'S MESSENGER." 

drive you to the station — and all with one minute to spare. 
Take up your big bag. Ah, it is not so precious now, eh ? 
The jewel is not there. Are you ready? {Jie is putting 
on his coat) Oh, will you blow out those candles? {Jie 
extinguishes candles on cabinet and on mantelpiece) 
Wait for me outside the window, {he takes the bag atid 
goes to window. She turns the lamp out — only moon- 
light in the room. He moves outside the window) Don't 
move until I tell you — you might stumble. You must not 
make another false step now, eh ? {she joins him at win- 
dow) How beautiful the air is ! 

Offi. You are shivering ! 

Lady. Am I ? And yet I am burning. How pale you 
look in the moonlight. Give me your hand, messenger ! 
How strong you are. You may trust me nov^' — I will 
guide you safely — as safely as if you were my messenger ! 
{she closes the window — the click of the lock is heard — 
the two figures walk tip the path in the jnoonlight hand 
in hand, and when they have quite vanished the curtain 
falls. 



THE REJUVENATION OF AUNT MARY. 

The famous comedy in three acts, by Anne Warner. 7 males, 6 
males. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2% hours. 

This is a genuinely funny comedy with splendid parts for "Aunt Mary," 
ack," her lively nephew; "Lucinda," a New England ancient maid of all work; 
ack's" three chums; the Girl "Jack*' loves; "Joshua," Aunt Mary's hired 
in, etc. 

"Aunt Mary" was played by May Robson in New York and on tour for over 
o years, and it is sure to be a big success wherever produced. We strongly 
:ommend it. Price, 60 Cents. 

MRS. BUMSTEAD-LEIGH. 

A pleasing comedy, in three acts, by Harry James Smith, author of 
,ie Tailor-Made Man." 6 males, 6 females. One interior scene. Cos- 
mes modern. Plays 2^4 hours. 

Mr. Smith chose for* his initial comedy the complications arising from the 
deavors of a social climber to land herself in the altitude peopled lay hyphenated 
mes— a theme permitting innumerable complications, according to the spirit of 
e writer. 

This most successful comedy was toured for several seasons by Mrs. Fiske 
th ^enormous success. Price, 60 Cents. 

MRS. TEMPLE'S TELEGRAM. 

A most successful farce in three acts, by Frank Wyatt and William 
orris. 5 males, 4 females. One interior scene stands throughout the 
ree acts. Costumes modern. Plays 2^ hours. 

"Mrs. Temple's Telegram" is a sprightly farce in which there is an abund- 
ce of fun without any taint of impropriety or any element of ofifence. As 
ticed by Sir Walter Scott, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when lirst we 
actice to deceive!" 

There is riot a dull moment in the entire farce, and from the time the curtain 
ies until it makes the final drop the fun is fast and furious. A very exceptional 
rce. Price, 60 Cents. 

THE NEW CO-ED. 

A comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of "Tempest and 
mshine," etc. Characters, 4 males, 7 females, though any number of 
)ys and girls can be introduced in the action of the play. One interior 
id one exterior scene, but can be easily played in one interior scene. 
Dstumes modern. Time, about 2 hours. 

The theme of this play is the coming of a new student to the college, her 
caption by the scholars, her trials and final triumph. 

There are three especially good girls' parts, Letty, Madge and Estelle. but 
c others have plenty to do. "Punch" Doolittle and George Washington Watts, 
gentleman of color, are two particularly good comedy characters. We can 
rongly recommend "The New Co- Ed" to high schools and amateurs. 

Price, 30 Cent-s. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



DOROTHY'S NE 




014 525 851 # 



'he 

ys. 



A brand new comedy in four acts, 1 
New Co-Ed," "Tempest and Sunshine," 
4 males, 7 females. The scenes are extremely easy to arrange ; two plain 
interiors and one exterior, a garden, or, if necessary, the two interiors 
will answer. Costumes modern. Plays 2^ hours. 

The story is about vocational training, ^ subject now widely discussed; also, 
the distribution of large wealth. 

B'^:k of the comedy situation and snappy dialogue there is good logic and 
:. sound moral in this pretty play, which is worthy the attention of the experi- 
enced amateur. It is a clean, wholesome play, particularly suited to high school 
production. Price, 30 Cents. 



MISS SOMEBODY ELSE. 

A modem play in four acts by Marion Short, author of "The Touch- 
down," etc. 6 males, 10 females. Two interior scenes. Costumes mod- 
ern. Plays 2% hours. 

This delightful comedy has gripping dramatic moments, unusual character 
types, a striking and original plot and is essentially modern in theme and treat- 
ment. The story concerns the adventures of Constance Darcy, a multi-million- 
aire's young daughter. Constance embarks on a trip to find a young man who 
had been in her father's employ and had stolen a large sum of money. She 
almost succeeds, when suddenly all traces of the young man are lost. At this 
point she meets some old friends who are living in almost want and, in order to 
assist them through motives benevolent, she determines to sink hex own aristo- 
cratic personality in that of a refined but humble little Irish waitress with the 
family that are in want. She not only carries her scheme to success in assisting 
the family, but finds romance and much tense and lively adventure during the 
period of her incognito, aside from capturing the young man who had . defrauded 
her father. The story is full of bright comedy lines and dramatic situations and 
is highly recommended for amateur production. This is one of the best come- 
dies we have ever oflFered with a large number of female characters. The dialogue 
is bright and the play is full of action from start to finish; not a dull moment in 
it. This is a great comedy for high schools and colleges, and the wholesome 
story will please the parents and teachers. We strongly recommend it. 

Price, 30 Cents. 



PURPLE AND FINE LINEN. 

An exceptionally pretty comedy of Puritan New England, in three 
acts, by Amita B. Fairgfieve and Helena Miller. 9 male, 5 female char- 
acters. ^ 

This is the Lend A Hand Smith College prize play. It is an admirable play 
for amateurs, is rich in character portrayal of varied types and is not too difficult 
while thoroughly pleasing. Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 



SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 



